Calculating centripetal force when radius is unknown

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating centripetal force when the radius is unknown. A scenario is presented involving a ball with a mass of 250 g and a centripetal acceleration of 5 m/s². The participants highlight that the standard formula for centripetal force, F = m * V² / r, is not applicable without knowing the radius or velocity. The conversation emphasizes that if centripetal acceleration is provided, the need to calculate force using the traditional formula is unnecessary.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's second law (F = ma)
  • Knowledge of centripetal acceleration and its formula
  • Familiarity with the concept of mass in physics
  • Basic grasp of the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between centripetal acceleration and force
  • Learn about deriving centripetal force without knowing radius or velocity
  • Study the implications of mass and acceleration in circular motion
  • Explore alternative methods for calculating forces in physics problems
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of circular motion and centripetal force calculations.

BogMonkey
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Heres the question
"A ball with a mass of 250 g has a centripetal acceleration of 5 m/s2. What is the centripetal force acting on this ball? "

Since radius depends on the string length I have no idea how to derive it from these 2 variables. The only formula I know for getting centripetal force is F = m * V^2 / r
 
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If the acceleration is already given why do you want to calculate it?
 
bp_psy said:
If the acceleration is already given why do you want to calculate it?

Precisely. Elaborating, one rewrites the equation (F=ma) in that form (F=mv^2/r) because usually one knows velocity and radius. In this case, you know neither, so why rewrite it at all? :)
 

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